ITBP escorts over 900 goods trucks to Ladakh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 10

With the strategic Zoji La pass on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway opening up to traffic amidst the nationwide lockdown due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) has been assigned the vital responsibility to escort goods trucks and fuel tankers carrying essential supplies to people located in far-flung areas of Ladakh.

Trucks carrying food and other items are reaching Kargil covering a distance of 100 km in about eight hours under security cover provided by the ITBP. The convoys move through Gumri, Meena Marg and Dras via Fotu La pass and Namika La pass in extreme cold climatic conditions, with temperatures dipping up to minus 10 degrees Celsius.

The ITBP, which is responsible for the peace-time management of the border with China, has escorted more than 900 trucks so far to their destinations in Ladakh to ease the hardships of the local populace, according to an ITBP statement issued here today.